The Complete Guide to Sustainable Packaging in 2025

Sustainable packaging is more than a buzzword in 2025—it’s becoming the new business standard. Across the globe, governments and consumers alike are demanding eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging. In the U.S., many states are following Oregon’s and the European Union’s lead by considering legislation that requires sustainable materials for packaging. Meanwhile, California’s single-use plastic bag ban has already encouraged retailers and shoppers to make the switch to paper and other recyclable options.

Eager to learn more about sustainable packaging? In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What sustainable packaging is, and why HexcelPack solutions are in such high demand today
• How sustainable packaging benefits your brand, from improved reputation to long-term profitability
• Simple ways to transition to eco-friendly packaging, no matter your company’s size or industry

If you want to be a leader in any industry today, it’s a must to embrace environmentally conscious packaging options.

What Is Sustainable Packaging

Before we dive into the many benefits of sustainable packaging, it’s important to understand exactly what makes packaging sustainable. Look for these qualities when choosing eco-friendly packing solutions for your business. 

Curbside Recyclable

Sustainable packaging must be able to be directly recycled. That means customers can leave it at the curb in their recycling bin for pickup just like all of HexcelPack’s packaging products, which can also be composted for safe garden soil or landscaping fill. HexcelPack has been a leader and innovator in sustainable packaging for decades.

This distinction matters because many plastic packaging types that claim to be recyclable actually require specialized recycling facilities, and most communities don’t have access to them. As a result, these plastics often end up in landfills, where they can take decades or even centuries to decompose.

Worse yet, as they break down, plastics release toxic chemicals and microplastics (also known as nanoplastics) into the environment. Research now shows that these particles have harmful effects on both ecosystems and human health.

Responsibly Sourced

Sustainable packaging must also be responsibly sourced, meaning it’s made from renewable, natural materials that don’t deplete the planet’s resources.

A good example is the kraft paper packaging from HexcelPack. It’s made from trees grown in Sweden and Canada under strict environmental guidelines that minimize waste and protect forest lands.

Environmentally Friendly Production

Once raw materials are responsibly sourced, sustainable packaging must also be manufactured responsibly. Its production should use minimal resources, like water and energy, and must not release harmful substances into the air, soil, or water.

Safe to Handle

Consumers, shopkeepers, packers, and others who handle packing material often are exposed to whatever is in that packaging. Therefore, sustainable packaging must also be safe for those who use it both casually and for hours each day at work.

All HexcelPack products are free of microplastics and chemical irritants, making them completely non-toxic and safe to touch. Unlike many plastic-based materials, HexcelPack’s paper-based designs won’t shed airborne microplastics that can cause respiratory issues or skin irritation.

In short: sustainable packaging shouldn’t just protect the planet, it should protect the people who use it, too.

Why Sustainable Packaging Is Good for Your Business

Sustainable packaging isn’t just better for the planet; it’s great for your business too. This is true whether you’re a sole proprietor who sells on Etsy, a small art gallery, or an enterprise with global reach. 

Improved Packaging Efficiency

Choosing the right sustainable packaging can make cushioning your products far more effective. HexcelPack uses a groundbreaking slit-paper technology that transforms two-dimensional kraft paper into a three-dimensional protective matrix, offering superior cushioning for everything from jewelry to aerospace components.

This innovative design means you can use less material while still protecting your products from damage, reducing costly returns, and increasing customer satisfaction. Fewer breakages mean better reviews and stronger brand loyalty. And because efficient packaging creates less waste, it supports both environmental goals and profitability.

Optimized Shipping Costs

Excessive packaging not only harms the environment, it also drives up operational expenses. Businesses often overcompensate for poor cushioning with unnecessary void fill, double boxing, or oversized packaging, all of which increase shipping costs.

By switching to sustainable packaging from HexcelPack, you can eliminate this waste. The superior protection allows for smaller, lighter shipments, reducing both dimensional and weight-based shipping charges. The result: lower costs, less material use, and a cleaner environmental footprint.

Promoting a More Forward-Thinking Brand Image

We mentioned above how sustainable packaging is a powerful brand-building tool. You can leverage this trend to align with your customers and attract new customers.

More and more, consumers want to order from eco-conscious companies. A big part of that is companies that use sustainable packaging. In fact, around half of consumers surveyed would pay more for sustainable packaging, and even more—about 70%—would shoulder that cost in the food industry. Furthermore, nearly one-third prefer paper-based packaging.

You don’t have to be shipping food items either to capitalize on this movement towards sustainability. Clients in many industries like the idea of more planet-friendly packing materials. Even in B2B commerce, they appreciate the ability to recycle their packaging or bale it for resale. Plus, social media influencers love unboxing with sustainable packing products, so their viewers can see how environmentally attuned they are. 

How to Integrate Sustainable Packaging Into Your Packing Process

No matter what size your business, it’s easy to transition to sustainable packaging. You can make the change all at once, or you can integrate different packing materials one at a time.

The team at HexcelPack is here to help you navigate selecting the right materials for your needs, as well as the best dispensing systems for now and as you scale. We have a wide array of sustainable packaging solutions for you:

• HexcelWrap®: This protective wrap has been an industry leader for years because of its innovative slit-paper design that provides better cushioning than plastic bubble as well as its ability to be composted or curbside recycled.
• HexaFil™: Looking for an alternative to packing peanuts or air pillows that are bad for the planet? Try our bulky slit-paper void fill that resists compacting for safer, more secure shipping.
• Hexcel'Ope™: For small but fragile items, this protective mailer will cushion them until they reach their destination. It also uses slit paper in place of bubbles for an eco-friendly option.
• HexcelStretch™: Pallet wrapping protects your bulk items in storage and transit while making loading and unloading more efficient. Our kraft paper pallet wrap can handle loads up to 4,000 pounds.
• HexceCrate™: Our new alternative to heavy wooden crates, this crating system is lighter, safer, and completely sustainable. It’s easier and faster to unpack, and it’s custom fit to your items for better cushioning from vibration and impact. 

Test HexcelPack with Your Products 

Here at HexcelPack, we believe the proof is in the packaging. That’s why we invite you to put our solutions to the test with your own products. Send us your items, and we’ll repackage them with our sustainable materials before shipping them back to you. See for yourself how effective HexcelPack paper packaging is at protecting your merchandise.